THIS WEEKEND
Back on the road for a second straight week, the University of Mary men's basketball team will tangle with a pair of teams from the Northern Sun South division. The weekend starts with a visit to Wayne, NE, on Friday, Jan. 31, where the Marauders will take on the Wayne State College Wildcats. Game time is 7:30 pm at the Rice Auditorium. The Marauders wrap up a four-game road trip in Sioux Falls, SD, on Saturday, Feb. 1, when UMary faces the Augustana University Vikings. Tip off is 5:30 pm from the Sanford Pentagon.
 
RECORDS
The Marauders are 10-10 overall and 5-9 in the Northern Sun (10^th in NSIC, 5^h in NSIC North)… Wayne State is 8-15 overall and 5-9 in the NSIC South (10^th in NSIC, 6^th in NSIC South)… Augustana is 12-8 overall and 7-7 in the NSIC South (8^th in NSIC, 5^th in NSIC South).
 
LAST WEEK
The University of Mary opened a four-game road trip with a pair of nail-biters, opening with a loss before rebounding for a last second victory… UMary opened the weekend with a 71-68 loss at Minnesota Crookston. Down as many as 18 points with 5 minutes left to play, the Marauders had possession at the end of the game with an opportunity to force overtime but couldn't get a good look at a needed three-pointer. Matthew Kreklow posted his sixth double double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Jaylan White scored 18. One game after hitting 15 treys, the Marauders made just two treys while UMC hit 14. Malcolm Cohen led UMC with 28 points, hitting eight treys. Harrison Cleary added 19… Matthew Kreklow scored the game-winning basket on a slam dunk with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game as UMary stunned Bemidji State 78-77. Down four in the last minute, Connor Hellebust hit a three-pointer with 59 seconds left to pull UMary within 77-76. After a pair of defensive stops, the Marauders regained the ball with 11 seconds remaining. With the clock running down, Jaylan White found Kreklow alone in the paint for the game-winning basket. Hellebust led UMary with 22 points. Trever Kaiser hit three treys and scored 11 points off the bench. UMary shot 54.9 percent for the game and hit 11 treys. Nick Wagner led BSU with 23 points.
 
NUMBERS TO KNOW
310 Jaylan White cracked 300 career assists when he dropped 12 in the Marauders win over Southwest Minnesota State. He is the sixth UMary player to accomplish that feat and has 305 in his career. The others are Tracy Porter (489), Scott Kleinjan (478), Jim Hughes (404), Rod Hubka (375) and Rusty Gillette (323).
 
960 Marauders senior guard Jaylan White cracked 900 career points earlier this season at Minnesota State and now has 960 career points. The native of St. Charles, IA, is the 26^th player in University of Mary men's basketball history to accomplish this feat. He now ranks 20^th all-time with 960 points. The last UMary players to crack 900 career points was Bryan Jefferson and Damonta Henry in the 2016-17 season… Just ahead of White on the career scoring list is Rich Lorenz (993). 
 
101 Marauders head coach Joe Kittell earned his 100^th career win as a collegiate head coach in UMary's 75-60 win over Southwest Minnesota State on Jan. 18, 2020, and now has 101. Kittell earned 42 wins at Lake Region State College from 2013-15. He has won 59 games at UMary since taking over the Marauders program in 2015-16.
 
114 After breaking the UMary team record for blocked shots, Matthew Kreklow's total continues to grow.  After two more rejections last weekend, the junior forward now has 114 in his career. He broke the career record in UMary's win over St. Cloud State on Jan. 11, 2020. The former record was established by UMary Hall of Famer and All-American Marc Hawley, who finished his career with 108 blocked shots (1995-97). Kreklow blocked 23 shots as a freshman, 53 last year as a sophomore and has 38 blocks this season, an average of 1.5 blocks per game.
 
848 The 33^rd UMary player to reach 800 career points, Matthew Kreklow ranks 31^st all-time with 848 career points… Kreklow is the second UMary player to crack 800 points this season, joining Jaylan White.
 
438 On top of setting the school blocked shot record and passing 800 career points in the win over St. Cloud State, Matthew Kreklow also reached 400 career rebounds in the Huskies game. He is the 20^th UMary player to reach that figure in his career and ranks 14^th, just behind Jordan Wilhelm (442) and Alex Aldinger (451).  
 
624 Connor Hellebust is making his way up the Marauders career scoring list. After dropping 22 on Bemidji Sate, the UMary junior has 624 career points.  
 
LISTEN UP
Marauders fans can follow all the action live over the air on Fox Sports 710 AM with Voice of the Marauders Jesse Rostvedt providing the call… links to live video, audio and stats are available at www.GoUMary.com/coverage. 
 
OPPO RESEARCH – WAYNE STATE COLLEGE WILDCATS
After winning 21 games last season and earning a share of the NSIC South title, the Wildcats haven't found as much success this year, sitting 8-15 with a 5-9 conference mark. Coming off a stretch of losing 9-of-10 games, the Wildcats swept Minnesota State and Concordia-St. Paul on the road last weekend. WSC averages 72.7 ppg (12^th in NSIC) and allows 77.0 (13^th in NSIC). Soph. C Jordan Janssen averages nearly a double double at 17.7 ppg and 9.7 rebounds/game. Twice he has received NSIC Player of the Week honors this season and he has scored in double figures in 32 straight game. Soph. Nick Ferrarini chips in 14.4 ppg and Soph. PG Nate Mohr averages 12.2 ppg.
 
HISTORY LESSON - MARAUDERS v. WILDCATS
The Wildcats hold a 15-6 series lead over the Marauders… The Wildcats have won the last three meetings, including an 84-62 home win in the first round of the NSIC playoffs last spring… The two teams first met during UMary's transition season from NAIA to NCAA play in 2005-06 with the Marauders claiming a 70-65 win… Wayne State followed with six straight wins over Mary before the Marauders broke the streak with a 73-62 win at WSC on Dec. 5, 2009… The Wildcats are 8-2 in Bismarck and 7-4 at home against the Marauders… The Marauders last home win was an 85-78 victory 12.9.16 behind 19 points from Bryan Jefferson… The Marauders last road win was a 99-80 victory on January 31, 2016, behind 26 points from Bryan Jefferson. Six Marauders reached double figures… LAST MEETING In the opening round of the 2019 NSIC tournament, the Wildcats defeated the visiting Marauders 84-62. Matthew Kreklow led UMary with 18 points and Jaylan White added 11. Dennis Austin III had 10 points. Trevin Joseph led WSC with 28. UMary hit its first eight shots of the game.
 
OPPO RESEARCH – AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY VIKINGS
After a weekend road split with a win at Concordia-St. Paul and a loss at Minnesota State, Augustana is 12-8 overall and 7-7 in the NSIC. Augie was swept by MSU Moorhead and Northern State during the Vikings last home and are 6-4 at home this season. Tyler Riemersma averages a double double with 13.3 ppg and 10.1 rpg. Matt Todd scores 13.8 pg. Tyler LeBrun also hits double figures at 10.8 ppg. The Vikings are scoring 80.5 ppg and allowing 73.8 ppg.
 
HISTORY LESSON - MARAUDERS v. BEAVERS
UMary is 6-13 against Augustana… UMary snapped an 8-game losing streak to the Vikings with a 101-87 home win last season… The series started in 1999-2000 with an 89-64 Vikings win… The first Marauders win was a 68-64 victory on January 18, 2006… Last Marauders road win over the Vikings was a 63-49 victory on December 4, 2009… LAST MEETING UMary hit 14 treys and shot 57.6 percent from the floor to roll past visiting Augustana 101-87. Trever Kaiser scored 21 points off the bench, Jaylan White had 20 points and eight assists, Connor Hellebust posted 18 points, Matthew Kreklow chipped in 16 and Tom Kubank 13. A.J. Plitzuweit had 23 points and eight assists for WSC.
 
DEFENSE
The Marauders allow the fewest points in the NSIC this season. UMary is limiting the opposition to 67.8 points per game. Opponents are making just 43.5 percent of their field goal attempts against UMary, 8^th best in the NSIC.
 
DEFENSE PART II
UMary is 31^st in NCAA Division II in scoring defense, allowing 67.8 ppg.
 
HANDS OFF APPROACH
The Marauders commit an average of 14.1 personal fouls/game, the fewest in the NSIC and 12^th fewest in NCAA Division II.
 
FREEBIES
Taking advantage of opportunities at the foul line, the Marauders are converting an impressing 73.8 percent of their free throw attempts (254-of-344). UMary ranks 6^th in the NSIC and 101^st in NCAA Division II... The Marauders have shot 101 more free throws than the opposition… UMary foes are making just 69.2 percent of its attempts, the second-worst figure in the NSIC. 
 
LESS GIVING MORE TAKING
The Marauders are 8^th among NSIC teams this season in turnovers at +0.55/game.
 
HELPING HAND
The Marauders average 13.0 assists per game, 10^th in the NSIC. UMary is 15^th in the NSIC in scoring.
 
SWAT CITY
The Marauders are blocking 3.1 shots/game, 8^th in the NSIC. Much of the work is being done by junior Matthew Kreklow, who is 3^rd in the NSIC at 2.1 rejections/game.
 
WHITE HOT
When needed, Jaylan White has taken over a quartet of Marauders wins this season. The senior point guard scored 18 points in the opening game of the year, nine coming in the second half and the other nine in overtime… Against Dickinson State he just missed his career-high, scoring 28 points and making 10-of-15 shots in the win… In a win at Minot State, White scored all 13 of his points in the final seven minutes to help the Marauders overcome an 11-point deficit, scoring the winning basket with 8.8 seconds left in the game… in a 75-72 home win over Minot State, White scored seven points in overtime… currently White is 8^th in the NSIC in steals (1.3)/game), 7^th in assists (4.1), and 4^th in assists to turnovers ratio (2.3). He is averaging 11.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game… Entering his third season as a starter, White was named the Marauders NSIC Preseason Player to Watch for 2019-20. The native of St. Charles, IA, earned All-Northern Sun honorable mention honors in 2018-19 after averaging a team-leading 13.8 ppg and 3.3 RPG. He was among the league leaders in free throw percentage (.826), had 2.5 rebounds/game and 1.3 steals/game… After serving as a key reserve as a freshman, White has started 75 out of the Marauders last 76 games, including all 29 last year and 20 this season. He is averaging 9.1 points per game in 104 career games and has totaled 960 points while distributing 310 assists (6^th all-time). Next on the all-time assist list is Rusty Gillette with 323.
 
900/300
Jaylan White is one of just four Marauders who have scored 900 points and made 300 assists in their careers. The others are Tracy Porter (1,006 points/489 assists), Scott Kleinjan (2,268/478) and Rusty Gillette (1,167/323).
 
CLUTCH
For the second time in his career, Jaylan White hit a game-winning bucket in the final seconds of a game in the Marauders victory at Minot State University. The senior posted the game-winning basket in the 56-53 win with 8.8 seconds on the clock… Last season the All-NSIC guard hit a shot with under three seconds remaining of a 100-98 triple overtime win at Minnesota Duluth. 
 
12
Jaylan White set the Marauders NCAA era record for assists in a single game with 12 against Southwest Minnesota State. The old record was 11 by Marquealis Edwards against Presentation College on Dec. 15, 2015.White's previous high was eight.
 
REJECTION LETTERS
Matthew Kreklow is the Marauders all-time career leader in blocked shots with 114. He surpassed  UMary Hall of Famer and All-American forward Marc Hawley (108 rejections in 1995-97) when he blocked four shots in the Marauders win over St. Cloud State on Saturday...Kreklow's 53 blocks in 2018-19 as a sophomore was one shy of the school's NCAA era single season record by Damon Smith in 2011-12… Kreklow leads the Marauders in scoring (14.4 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg), field goal percentage (.550) and blocks (2.1)… he is shooting 75.9 percent at the free throw line and averages 1.1 steals and 1.4 assists… he has six double doubles this season and nine in his career (see note below)… Kreklow is 18^th in the NSIC in scoring, 7^th in rebounding, 4^th in field goal percentage and 14^th in free throw percentage… In NCAA Division II rankings, Kreklow is 17^th in blocks/game, 61^st in field goal percentage and 67^th in rebounding.
 
DOUBLE DOUBLE DOUBLE DOUBLE DOUBLE
Matthew Kreklow owns six double doubles this season, including a run of four straight games. For his career Kreklow has eight double doubles. Here's the list:
1/24/20 at Minnesota Crookston | 23 points and 12 rebounds
12/21/19 vs. Minot State | 25 points and 10 rebounds
12/17/19 vs. Maine-Fort Kent | 16 points and 12 rebounds
12/14/19 vs. Northern State | 18 points and 13 rebounds
12/13/19 vs. MSU Moorhead | 25 points and 10 rebounds
11/30/19 at Minot State | 12 points and 10 rebounds
1/25/19 vs. Minnesota Crookston | 14 points and 10 rebounds
11/20/18 vs. South Dakota Mines | 14 points and 10 rebounds
11.28.17 vs. Yellowstone Christian | 11 points and 10 rebounds
 
KREKLOW EARNS SECOND CAREER NSIC NORTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
Matthew Kreklow became just the third UMary player to earn Northern Sun Player of the Week honors multiple times. Eric Erdmann and All-American Anthony Moody both captured the award three times in their Marauders careers… Kreklow first won the honor in January 2019 after leading the Marauders to a weekend sweep of Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State… This season he captured the award for his efforts in the final week of the 2019 schedule after leading the Marauders to a home sweep of the University of Maine at Fort Kent and Minot State University. Kreklow posted 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks while making 8-of-11 field goals in a 77-33 win over the Bengals. The junior then scorched Minot State for 25 points, ten rebounds and five blocks in a 75-72 overtime win against the Beavers.
 
DOWNTOWN
Connor Hellebust is one of the Marauders top threat from behind the arc. The junior guard averages 9.2 points per game and 3.5 rebounds. He is knocking down 31.4 percent of his 3-point attempts (27-of-86) and is making 74.5 percent of his free throw attempts (41-of-44)… Hellebust has hit for double digits in points in ten games, with scoring highs of 22 against Bemidi State and 18 against both Northeastern State and Presentation… he posted a team-best 15 points in the Marauders win at Minot State… has hit three or more treys in a game four times... his 27 treys are third the team.
 
DOWNTOWN PART 2
The Marauders are making 8.5 treys per game (8^th in the NSIC) and are converting 36.8 percent of their attempts (9^th in NSIC)… Wyatt Carr is hitting a team-high 49.2 percent of his trey attempts, hitting 30-of-61 attempts behind the arc... Tied with Carr for made 3s is Josh Sipes. The redshirt freshman is 30-of-74 from behind the arc (40.5 percent)… The Marauders sank 15 treys against Southwest Minnesota State, the second most UMary has hit in an NCAA-era game (record is 17 against Saint Martin's in the 2008-09 season).
 
DEBUT
Four players have made their Marauders debut this season: junior Glenn Jordan, redshirt freshmen Kade Amundson and Josh Sipes and freshman Regan Tollefson. Sipes was in the Marauders starting lineup early in the season before becoming a scoring threat off the bench. He averages 6.6 ppg and is tied for the team lead in treys (30)… Amundson has started two games and averages 5.3 ppg… Jordan has started seven straight games and is scoring 4.9 ppg… Tollefson has played in 14 games and averages 3.5 ppg.
 
UPWARD MOBILITY
The Marauders improved by six wins overall and five wins in the NSIC in 2018-19.
 
FOR THREE
The Marauders return three starters from the 2018-19 season, senior G Jaylan White (13.8 ppg/3.3 apg/2.5 rpg), junior center Matthew Kreklow (11.7 ppg/56 rpg/1.8 blocks per game), and junior G Connor Hellebust (9.9 ppg/3.6 rpg/1.4 apg). (stats from 2018-19)
 
KEY COGS
UMary returns six players who saw considerable action for the Marauders in 2018-19: senior guards Evan Anderson (3.0 ppg / 1.2 apg) and Johnnie Turner (2.0 ppg / 1.8 rpg), junior wing Wyatt Carr (4.8 ppg / 2.3 rpg / 32 treys), and three sophomores, forward Lucas Mayer (6.4 ppg / 3.9 rpg / 55.9 field goal %), guard Trever Kaiser (3.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and forward Justin Engg (1.6 ppg / 1.4 rpg). (stats from 218-19)
 
WELCOME ABOARD
The Marauders welcomed several newcomers this season. Jr G Glenn Jordan joins the Marauders after an all-conference career at Allan Hancock College… G Josh Sipes and F Kade Amundson are redshirt freshmen who were with the Marauders program last season… F Logan Nagorski, G Treyton Mattern, G Matthew Johnson and F Regan Tollefson are true freshmen with the UMary program this season.
 
DEEEE-FENSE
A big reason UMary took a jump in wins in 2018-19 was due to team defense. The Marauders were third in the NSIC in points allowed (70.9 points per game), 5^th in field goal defense (.444), and 3^rd in steals (6.6/game)… UMary allowed six fewer points than the season before and had been 15^th in field goal percentage defense.
 
THE BORTKE COURT MAC ATTACK
The Marauders once again found success on Bortke Court in the McDowell Activity Center. The playing floor was christened Bortke Court in honor of long-time Mary men's basketball coach and athletic director Al Bortke in July 2009. Here is the Marauders NCAA Division II home record:
2006-07:   5-  7
2007-08:   4-  7
2008-09:   7-  5
2009-10: 11-  2
2010-11: 12-  1
2011-12:   3-10
2012-13:   3-  9
2013-14:   6-  7
2014-15:   4-  8
2015-16:   8-  7
2016-17:   8-  6
2017-18:   2-11
2018-19:   9-  5
2019-20:   7-4
The Marauders once won 27 straight home games for Coach Bortke at the MAC (February 19, 1976 thru November 11, 1978).
 
NIFTY 50 | #4
After winning his 50^th game at UMary in the season opener, Joe Kittell moved to 4^th in all-time Marauders men's basketball coaching wins in a home win over Minot State. Legendary Hall of Famer Al Bortke tops the list with 335, followed by Jim Feeney (144), Rod Jonas (69), Kittell (59) and Juno Pintar (55).
 
KITTELL AT 101
Marauders head coach Joe Kittell, in his fifth season at UMary, won his 100^th career game as a collegiate coach against Southwest Minnesota State. Kittell earned 42 wins in two seasons at Lake Region State College and owns 59 at UMary.
 
#marauders#